A long sigh from Merchan as Blanche rises to reply again after Necheles.
Blanche now asks about the names of the jurors, and how they will "get them." Merchan says, with another sigh, that this is still being worked out.
Merchan will hand each side one copy of the list of names of first panel of 96 jurors, and says "I'm directing you now: that copy is not to be photographed or duplicated in any way shape or form," and afterwards they're to return the list.
Merchan leaves the bench momentarily, as Trump has a close conversation with Blanche.
Merchan makes a request to counsel as we wait for the jurors: "please don't encourage jurors to seek out prior conversations—once one juror has an opportunity to come up to the bench, everyone wants to come up to the bench."
As a reminder, the names of all jurors will be kept secret, except to the parties, per Merchan's order for an anonymous jury. You can read that order here: s3.documentcloud.org/documents/2453…
Correction: Merchan's request was not to encourage jurors to seek out *sidebar conversations, thanks @rparloff
@rparloff Trump and Blanche continue to converse as we wait for the first panel of jurors, both waving their arms at certain points. The press pool can hear Trump's voice, but can't make out what he's saying.
2:05 p.m. prospective jurors are going through security and will enter soon.
As I wait, and you wait, and the lawyers wait for the prospective jurors, remind you that if you're enjoying this coverage, to please consider donating to @lawfare's fundraising campaign: givebutter.com/c/trumptrials/…
@lawfare It's hot and stuffy in the overflow courtroom, and it seems to be setting in among the press that this process will take two weeks or more—and we haven't even seen a single juror yet. "I'm sweatin' like I'm on trial," I hear one journalist nearby say. To be honest, so am I.